NTPA Deaf Theatre has officially named their first program director, Daymond Sands, ahead of the the company’s first major production.
Sands is a Dallas native who has been performing in the area since age 5. Since then, Sands has obtained his degree in psychology, worked as a professional performing artist and ASL consultant.
Recently, Sands was awarded ArtCentre‘s “Arts Educator Award” earlier this year before taking his position at North Texas Performing Arts.
“I appreciate the Arts Educator recognition from the ArtCentre of Plano, and look forward to propelling this program to even greater heights,” Sands said. “I am thankful to North Texas Performing Arts for creating the Deaf Theatre and bringing this opportunity to Deaf performers across North Texas.”
Sands is currently directing a cast of 22 actors in the Deaf Theatre’s first full-length production, It’s a Wonderful Life, which will take the stage in November.
The NTPA Deaf Theatre is a pat of NTPA’s Accessible Theatre program, promoting equal access to theatre and the performing arts while promoting diversity, equity and education at NTPA. The Deaf theatre’s program director and each board member are members of the Deaf community, either through being Deaf or being a parent of a Deaf child.
“We are pleased to receive this recognition for this impactful program, and are excited about Daymond’s leadership as we expand this program’s impact,” said NTPA Chief Executive Office Darrell Rodenbaugh. “This builds upon our vision that every child should have the opportunity to take the stage and we couldn’t be more proud to provide this opportunity to Deaf and hard of hearing youth and adults across North Texas.”
It’s a Wonderful Life is performing on Nov. 17-19 in the Egelston-Akers Blackbox Theatre at NTPA’s Willow Bend Center of the Arts located at 6121 W. Park Blvd. Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 starting November 13.
